You have the keys, the boxes are stacked in the living room, and now the real work begins. Before your first night feels like home, you will want the lights on, hot water running, and the wifi humming. The good news: to set up utilities in Singapore is refreshingly straightforward once you know who to call and in what order. This guide walks a newcomer through the essentials, from your electricity and water account to broadband, town council charges, and a simple move-in checklist.
Prices and plans change often, so treat every figure here as a rough guide only. Always confirm current rates and packages directly with the providers before you sign up.
Start With SP Group: Electricity, Water and Gas
Your single most important first call is to SP Group, the national utilities provider. SP Group manages the meters and billing for electricity, water, and (where available) town gas across Singapore, whether you are in an HDB flat, a condo, or a landed home.
To open a utilities account, you will typically need:
- Your NRIC, FIN, or passport details
- Your new address and the move-in date
- A tenancy agreement (if you are renting) or proof of ownership
- A security deposit, which varies depending on your pass type and property
You can apply online through the SP Group website or app, and you should do this a few days before you move in so everything is live on day one. Once your account is open, you will receive a single monthly bill covering electricity, water, and gas together, which keeps things simple.
Tip: Set up your SP account first. Nearly everything else, including your electricity retailer choice, sits on top of this account.
Choosing an Electricity Plan: The Open Electricity Market
Here is something that surprises many newcomers. In Singapore, you can choose who you buy your electricity from, thanks to the Open Electricity Market. Your electricity still travels through the same national grid and is delivered just as reliably; only the retailer and pricing plan differ.
You broadly have two paths:
- Stay on the regulated tariff. If you do nothing, you simply buy electricity at the standard regulated rate, which is reviewed every quarter. This is the easy, no-fuss option.
- Sign up with an electricity retailer. A number of licensed retailers offer plans that may work out cheaper or offer perks. Common plan types include a fixed rate (you pay the same rate per unit for the length of the contract) and a discount-off-tariff plan (you pay a set percentage below the regulated rate).
Which is better depends on your household size, how much you use, and where rates sit at the time. Fixed plans give you predictability; discount plans move with the market. Read the contract length, early termination fees, and any deposit before committing, and compare current offers directly, as promotions come and go.
If you are only in Singapore short-term or want zero admin, the regulated tariff is perfectly fine. You can always switch later.
Setting Up Home Wifi in Singapore
Singapore is one of the most connected places on earth, and setting up home wifi in Singapore is usually painless. Most homes are wired for fibre broadband, so speeds are excellent and widely available.
The main national broadband providers offer fibre plans in a range of speeds, and there are also several smaller retail providers competing on price. As a rough guide, a typical home fibre plan sits somewhere in the region of a few tens of dollars a month, with faster tiers costing more. Many plans bundle a router, and some throw in a mobile SIM, streaming perks, or a free installation window.
A few things worth knowing:
- Check the ONT. Most homes already have a fibre termination point (an ONT box) installed. If yours does, activation is quick. If not, you may need an installation appointment, so book early.
- Contract length matters. Many broadband deals run on 24-month contracts. If you are here short-term, look for no-contract or shorter options, even if the monthly price is a little higher.
- Consider a bundle. If you also need a mobile line, a bundled deal can be good value. For more on mobile options, see our SIM card guide linked at the end.
Compare current plans and promotions on each provider’s site before deciding, since headline speeds and prices shift frequently.
Town Council and Conservancy Charges
If you live in an HDB flat, you will pay town council service and conservancy charges, often shortened to S&CC. These fund the upkeep of the shared spaces around your block: lift maintenance, corridor lighting, cleaning, landscaping, and general estate services.
Charges are billed monthly and vary by flat type, with larger flats paying more. As a rough guide, S&CC for a typical HDB flat runs from a modest sum for the smallest units up to a somewhat higher amount for bigger ones. Your town council will confirm the exact rate for your flat and how to pay, usually by GIRO, online, or at payment kiosks. Condo residents pay a separate maintenance fee to their management, not S&CC.
Do not ignore these bills. They are a normal part of HDB living and keeping them current avoids awkward reminders later.
Refuse Collection and Recycling
Rubbish collection is handled for you as part of living in your estate, so there is no separate service to arrange. Household waste is collected regularly, and most HDB blocks have a refuse chute or a central bin point on the ground floor.
For recycling, look for the blue commingled recycling bins near your block. You can place clean paper, plastic, glass, and metal into these without sorting them into separate streams. A quick habit to build: rinse containers before you bin them, and flatten cardboard to save space.
Your HDB Move-In Checklist
To keep your HDB move in smooth, work through this simple checklist in the days around your move:
- [ ] Open your SP Group utilities account (electricity, water, gas) a few days before moving in
- [ ] Decide on your electricity plan: regulated tariff or an Open Electricity Market retailer
- [ ] Arrange home broadband, and book an installation slot early if needed
- [ ] Note your town council and set up payment for S&CC
- [ ] Locate the refuse chute and recycling bins for your block
- [ ] Check locks, taps, and the water heater on day one and report any faults
- [ ] Update your address with your bank, employer, and official bodies
- [ ] Find the nearest kiosks: NTUC, wet market, hawker centre, and clinic
Tick these off and you will have a functioning, comfortable home within your first week. Keep every account reference number in one place; you will thank yourself the next time a bill or a query comes up.
Settling in takes a little admin, but none of it is difficult. Get the utilities and wifi sorted first, and the rest of your new Singapore life falls into place around it.
Explore more: Renting in Singapore: a complete guide · Singapore SIM card guide · Moving to Singapore checklist